Big Brain Channel
386 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago -"Big Brain" A term to describe the most intellectual of individuals.
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Episodes
Jerusalem – Israel’s Undivided Capital & the 2018 Palestinian Crisis
December 15, 2017 02:33 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBPlease find some interesting factoids regarding the history of Israel & the Occupation of Palestine & a link on PNAC (Project of the New American Century) Jews were forced to leave Israel during the Roman occupation of ancient Judaea (70 CE). Surviving Jewish communities flourishing throughout the Mediterranean and within Europe. Modern Israel was founded on the back of the NAZI Holocaust 1942-45. Between 1945-47, an Exodus of surviving European Jewry to the British Mandate of Palestine, ...
Saudi Winter of Hope? - The impacts of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS)
November 27, 2017 12:21 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBSome interesting links regarding MBS & Saudi domestic and foreign policy: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, power behind the throne, BBC, 6/11/17 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40354415 How the War in Yemen Explains the Future of Saudi Arabia, The Atlantic, 8/11/17 https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/11/saudi-arabia-iran-yemen-houthi-salman/545336/ Qatar blockade and Saudi Arabia: could there be a power shift in Doha? The Conversation, 5/11/17 https:/...
Fitness to Rule - Is China’s global leadership a sure thing?
November 19, 2017 08:57 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBSome interesting links regarding observations on modern China: Ikenberry G.J., The Rise of China and the Future of the West: Can the Liberal System Survive? Foreign Affairs, January/February 2008 Issue: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/asia/2008-01-01/rise-china-and-future-west Luce E., The Changing of the Global Economic Guard, The Atlantic, 29/04/2017: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/04/ china-economy-populism/523989/ Former Australian Prime Minister Pa...
Reflections - The Centenary of the 1917 Russian Revolution
November 07, 2017 10:01 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBA number of interesting articles regarding the Centenary of the Russian Revolution have been published. Below are a couple of links to the better ones we’ve found, including this visual anthology from American strategic forecast company, STRATFOR: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/100th-anniversary-russian-revolution-visual-anthology http://theconversation.com/why-putin-is-shy-about-celebrating-the-centenary-of-the-russian-revolution-74394 http://carnegie.ru/2017/10/05/past-that-divi...
Swamp Monster - The Battle for the Heart and Soul of the United States of America
October 31, 2017 05:01 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBShow Notes In another explosive day in Washington DC, the Mueller ‘Trump-Russia’ Probe found its first two scalps – Trump 2016 campaign manager Paul Manafort & his deputy Rick Gates, both of whom were indicted on 12 counts ranging from money laundering to acting as unregistered foreign agents to the former pro-Russian Ukrainian government of Viktor Yanukovych. Presently, their alleged crimes and misdemeanours have nothing to do with the 2016 Trump campaign itself, therefore sparing the US P...
ZAPAD 17 – Routine Russian military training exercise, or template for war?
October 16, 2017 02:04 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBSAGE International Australia (SIA) Chairman of the Advisory Board, CDRE Patrick J. Tyrrell OBE RN (Ret'd) joins us this week to analyse the implications of the latest Russian military exercise ZAPAD 17. What was behind this massive display of Russian military power? Was is designed to frighten a weak and dishevelled European Union, especially the former Soviet occupied Eastern Europe? Was it to send a message to Ukraine? The Baltic States? Or was this show of force simply part of ongoing Ru...
Horn of Africa - Region of Conflict or Region of Optimism?
September 20, 2017 10:30 - 46 minutes - 43 MBSTRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Today we are joined by Col. Sandy Wade OBE (Ret'd) to discuss the current situation on the Horn of Africa region. > Col. Wade is an Associate at Africa Advisory Partners Limited, specialising in investment advice in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. This follows a recent career as a Defence Attache and then diplomat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Recently involved in international and multinationa...
Marginal Losses - Better Outcomes for Institutions & Systems feat. David Olney
July 31, 2017 11:34 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBJohn, and Shahrezad (Shaz) in absentia, interrogate David on his theory that identifying and eliminating marginal losses from institutions and systems of public and private governance can lead to better organisations and to better organisational outcomes. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > What are 'marginal losses' and why is knowing about them important? > Can organisations be improved by identifying marginal losses? > Wha...
Crisis in the Gulf - Qatar v. GCC feat. Dr Imad K. Harb
June 15, 2017 09:58 - 42 minutes - 39 MBJohn Bruni and Imad K. Harb discuss the current crisis between the Sheikhdom of Qatar and its GCC neighbours. What caused it? Can it be reversed? What is at stake? STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Why is Qatar so unlike its GCC neighbours? > Does Qatar support terrorist organisations? Is this a fair and accurate picture? > Has Qatar over-stepped its mark? > What roles are Turkey, Iran and Russia playing in this dispute? ...
A Postcard from Kabul - Developments in Afghanistan feat. Prof Albert B. Wolf
May 31, 2017 07:56 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBJohn, David and Shahrezad discuss developments in Afghanistan with Prof Albert B. Wolf, Assistant Prof. in Political Science, American University of Afghanistan, Kabul. Special thanks to Ms. Zubaida Akbar, Director of Communications, AUA STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Analysing the strength and resilience of the Taliban > Are the Afghan National Security Forces up to the task of protecting Afghanistan? > Looking at the c...
Hostage Negotiations - Reflecting on the Lindt Cafe Siege Inquiry
May 30, 2017 11:36 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBSIA Associate & Co-host of STRATEGIKON speaks to ABC Adelaide's Ali Clarke on the difference in negotiating styles between traditional sieges and those involving terrorists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trump - A Never Ending Story
May 22, 2017 11:18 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBIn this episode, John Bruni and Jonathan Ludwig examine the turmoil within the Trump White House. What has Russia got on the US president? Is Moscow pleased with developments in Washington DC? How will the Comey dismissal play out? And much, much more. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > The Comey dismissal. > Washington DC in crisis. > Russian 'satisfaction'? > Trump's vulnerability to impeachment. > Can the US recover pos...
Russia's Growing Presence in the Middle East - Part II
May 09, 2017 10:30 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBIn this episode, John, Jonathan and Imad analyze Russia's growing presence in the Middle East. In Part II, we look at the Turkey-Iran-Russia nexus; the role of Russian arms sales in winning friends in the Middle East and examine Russia-Israel ties. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Turkey's blossoming relationship with Russia, what is it based on? > What happened to the vaunted Russian S400 surface-to-air missile system? Why...
Russia's Growing Presence in the Middle East - Part I
May 01, 2017 08:29 - 28 minutes - 25.9 MBDo you want to hear more than just cynical rhetoric on Russia's Growing Presence in the Middle East? Then listen to the latest episode of STRATEGIKON and the analyses of Drs. Ludwig and Harb In this Episode, John, Jonathan and Imad analyse Russia's growing presence in the Middle East. In Part I, we look at what brought Russia to this region and what its motivation is for staying. Does it have the strength to maintain itself for the duration? STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud a...
ANZAC Day Special - The World's Terrific, Tremendous, Amazing First 100 Days of Trump
April 25, 2017 06:10 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBJohn, David and Shahrezad discuss the foreign policy of Trump, 100 Days into his first term as president. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Trump's love affair with Russia, is it over? > Trump's congratulation of self-made Turkish autocrat Recep Tayyip Erdogan, does this say something about Trump's commitment to upholding democracy and human rights? > Firing Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria. > The new Korean Crisis. > Dr...
US Strike on Syria - Russia Threatens Real War
April 11, 2017 08:49 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MBSIA CEO John Bruni Interviewed by FIVEaa's Jeremy Cordeaux on the state of the world See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Blackout Adelaide - Neo-Liberalism & the Case for a Mixed Economy
April 01, 2017 04:41 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBToday, John, David and Shahrezad discuss the recent issues with the South Australian electricity sector and Premier Jay Weatherill's plan to fix what critics have labelled a third-world standard of electricity supply STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > What is the South Australian government's plan to restore affordable and reliable power to the State's citizens? > To what degree did South Australia 'sleep walk' its way into a...
"The Grand Tour" - British & European Security
March 24, 2017 11:33 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBIn this episode, John Bruni interviews CDRE Patrick J. Tyrrell OBE RN (Ret'd), Chairman of SIA's Advisory Board. We examine the recent terrorist attack in London, NATO, Brexit and the push for a new referendum on Scottish independence. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > The March 22 terrorist attack on Westminster, London > Co-operative arrangements in Europe for information sharing, how resilient are they? > How strong and ...
Ghost Fleet - The Shape of War to Come? Part II
March 16, 2017 09:02 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBIn this episode, John, David and Shahrezad discuss the geopolitical points raised in the book Ghost Fleet. How relevant are they in today's world, two years after the book's publication? STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Does the Sino-Russian alliance seem credible? > Where's China heading? > Where's Russia heading? > What's Europe's position? > Could Australia be blockaded as the book describes? See omnystudio.com/liste...
America's Education Black Hole - Putting the US at Risk?
March 10, 2017 00:41 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBIn this episode, John Bruni and Jonathan Ludwig will be looking at the state of US education. If a nation’s strength is predicated on the effectiveness of its education system, what is the state of America’s tertiary education? STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au > Has there been significant policy changes implemented under the Trump administration? > Who is the new US Secretary for Education, Betsy DeVos and is she qualified...
Ghost Fleet - The Shape of War to Come?
March 02, 2017 07:41 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBSTRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, YouTube and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au Topics covered: > The theme for today's episode is Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War > Do authors Singer & Cole point to real issues with regard to the prosecution of modern war? > Have Developed Countries, including Australia, foresworn their ability to manufacture whole high-tech weapons platforms in favour of being bit-players to and overtly dependent on defence Global Su...
Trumpocalypse Now? - The 45th US President's First Two Weeks
February 03, 2017 09:52 - 48 minutes - 44 MBIn this episode, John Bruni, David Olney & Shahrezad Ghayrat examine what has been called the 'Trumpocalypse' - the first fortnight of Donald J. Trump's presidency and where it is going. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, YouTube and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au Topics covered: > What do young Australians and Americans think of President Trump? > Will Trump's prescriptions to ban Muslim migration from 'proscribed countries' work in preventing another 9/11-st...
2017 - World Sitrep
January 12, 2017 11:24 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBIn this episode, John Bruni & David Olney discuss the state of the world in 2017. Is the post-World War II international order finished? And what will replace it? STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, YouTube and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au Topics covered: > The contemporary international order > Multilateralism > US international leadership > The fitness of China to lead a new world order > The capacity for India to challenge Chinese power See omnystudio....
Russia's 'Silver Age?' - Exploring the Prospects and Challenges of Contemporary Russian Power Feat. Dr Jonathan Z. Ludwig
December 26, 2016 09:35 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBJohn Bruni is joined by special guest Dr. Jonathan Z. Ludwig, Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian at Oklahoma State University, via Skype, from Stillwater OK. STRATEGIKON can be found on iTunes, SoundCloud, YouTube and the SIA website: www.sageinternational.org.au Topics covered: > Exploring Putin's hold over Russia. > Western ignorance of Russian motives. > How the Russians see themselves. > Russia's ultimate fate. > The impact of the Karlov assassination on Syrian peace-talks f...
'Mad Dog' Mattis - The Problem of Military Command in the Modern Age
December 08, 2016 22:51 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBIn this episode, John Bruni & David Olney discuss the appointment of General Mattis as US Secretary of Defense. Also discussed are some of the problems with military command today. Topics covered: > The idea of speaking truth to power when in uniform. > Mattis as 'rebel'? > Civil-military relations within the context of command. > Other potential military contenders for cabinet in the Trump administration & likely outcomes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Discussion - Henry Kissinger's Thoughts on Obama & Trump
November 17, 2016 10:32 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBIn this episode, John Bruni & David Olney discuss Jeffery Goldberg's interview with Henry Kissinger in the December 2016 issue of The Atlantic. Topics covered: Kissinger's reflections of the Obama years, his views on president-elect, Donald J. Trump and how relevant is Henry Kissinger in today's world? Have his opinions on international relations stood the test of time, or are they of a bygone era? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jewel in the Crown - The Battle for Mosul Begins
October 21, 2016 02:59 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBJohn Bruni and David Olney discuss the battle for Mosul, Iraq's attempt at liberating the Islamic State's 'jewel in the crown', and its implications. www.sageinternational.org.au Topics covered: How will Islamic State fighters conduct their defence of Mosul - its highly prized and critical strategic asset? Is the Iraqi Army and government capable of victory? What will victory look like for the people of Mosul and Iraq generally if Baghdad is not committed to implementing good governanc...
US Asia Policy - Obama's Pivot and the potential Clinton / Trump stances Feat. Dr Daniel Twining
October 09, 2016 07:29 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBJohn Bruni is joined by special guest Dr. Daniel Twining, Director & Senior Fellow for Asia at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Topics covered: US Asia policy - especially what both the Trump and Clinton camps stand for. We also look at the Obama 'Pivot to Asia' and the increasing importance and complexity of the Indian Subcontinent to America's 'grand strategy' in Asia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duterte Harry - Philippines War On Drugs under Rodrigo Duterte
September 20, 2016 23:35 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBJohn Bruni and David Olney take a closer look at the Philippines under Rodrigo Duterte. Is the Philippines in danger of becoming a narco-state?Are Duterte's Dirty Harry-style methods effective on his 'war on drugs'? What's up with Duterte's colourful language on the diplomatic scene? Who is he really pitching to and why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US Foreign Policy - Direction under Trump or Clinton Presidency
September 06, 2016 21:17 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBJohn Bruni & David Olney discuss the possible line-ups for the position of Secretary of State for both the Trump and Clinton camps as well as the possible direction of US foreign policy under either a Trump or Clinton presidency. www.sageinternational.org.au Topics covered: Possible Trump and Clinton choices for the post of Secretary of State; which of the presidential candidates is stronger on foreign policy and why should we care? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Interview - Dr. Ibrahim Fraihat on the Middle East
August 21, 2016 22:41 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBJohn Bruni is joined by special guest Dr. Ibrahim Fraihat, Senior Foreign Policy Fellow, Brookings Doha Center to discuss the stability of the Middle East today and the future of the region. Dr. Fraihat is a CAAR Visiting Fellow, sponsored by the Australian Government through the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR)of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He is hosted by the Middle East Studies Forum of Deakin University. Dr. Fraihat was Guest Speaker for the Departme...
New Tsar, Old Tsar - What does Putin Want?
August 15, 2016 01:39 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBJohn Bruni & David Olney discuss Vladimir Putin & Russia. What does Russian President Vladimir Putin want? Is Russia a power that knows its limits? Also on this Episode is discussion of – the significance of Russian military deployments to Crimea, eastern Ukraine and Syria. The state of Russia's military modernisation. The possible emergence of an autocratic alliance between Russia, Turkey and Iran, (akin to the 1815 Holy Alliance between Prussia, Austria and Russia). Putin's indispensabili...
Interview - Professor Purnendra Jain on Japan
August 11, 2016 12:33 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBJohn Bruni is joined by special guest Prof. Purnendra Jain were today STRATEGIKON addresses 'Japan Today' following the July 10 Upper House elections. How strong is Prime Minister Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party? Is Article 9 of Japan's Peace Constitution being successfully eroded by Japanese nationalists? Will Japan remain a 'Pacifist State'? How does China factor as a strategic threat to Tokyo? What did the loss of the Royal Australian Navy's AUD50 billion Collins class submarine rep...
Immigration and Terrorism - Implications for Europe
July 27, 2016 23:46 - 30 minutes - 28 MBJohn Bruni & David Olney discuss the relationship between immigration & terrorism in Europe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brexit - A Summation with a Twist
July 14, 2016 04:17 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBJohn Bruni & David Olney discuss Brexit, with a twist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reflections - The Chicot Inquiry
July 08, 2016 04:22 - 8 minutes - 7.59 MBJohn Bruni's take on the Chilcot Report's findings and the aftermath of the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq, March 2003 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.